We went fast, we went slow. Busted out the chips, spilled a fair share of beer/wine all over the boat. Reality struck when we reached the Haulover Sandbar and almost ran aground. After we got a better grip of the situation we anchored up and hung out for a bit. Well into the party, conversations sprung up on the fact that Lil Wayne lived just south of us. The mission was decided, find Lil Wayne's house.
The sun was just setting but on the way Phil jumped at the idea of wakeboarding the now-calm waters. A short run in the frigid water but I admire the will to try. We came around Normandy Isle on the south side and headed toward La Gorge, where Wayne's abode supposedly stood. At idle speed, the darkness filled the sky but the well lit house stood out like a star. You could even see people watching TV throughout the house (floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere). With Nate and Phil screaming the famous line "...got 10 bafrooms so I can shit all day..." (Steady Mobbin - Lil Wayne) while dancing on the back platform, it was the peak of the day.
Things changed real quick, though. As we swung around in front of Wayne's house, I put it reverse and the boat wouldn't react. The engine was rev'ing but that prop wasn't engaging. What was most concerning was a subtle ringing sound I never heard before. The transmission failed somehow and I could see from the motor the prop shaft was not moving (meaning we didn't just loose the prop!). I switched into emergency mode, as we drifted without much to paddle with. I called Nereydo, a veteran of these issues, for advice. Sea-tow would cost $300 and we were close enough to the house to conceivably paddle back. He offered to meet us with his kayak and figure it out. While he drove up, we paddled towards the house using the wakeboard and an engine panel. We reached the King Cole building once Nereydo arriving with the kayak paddles. At that point we went a lot faster with 4 people paddling and Jenny driving the boat. We reached what was the only unknown in the plan, the height of the 71st+Bay Dr. bridge. The boat's tower was 2ft too high.
Rowing all the way around Normandy Isle was not an option, so bringing down the tower was the only way. Nate phoned into Henry a master-handy man of sorts who surprisingly had the proper tool to get the tower down. As we waited, Nicole's bladder was bursting so Phil decided they should exit the vessel by way of climbing onto the bridge. Bad idea. In what was perhaps a drunken stuper, he lost grip of the bridge pipe and splash. Yes folks, full clothed and now soaking wet (sorry about the phone). It was all in good fun, but it was scary to see.
We rowed to a nearby dock and properly moved Phil+Nicole off and Henry on. In what was the best gesture of good grace I've seen in a long time, Henry successfully solved one problem after another until the tower came down. We then were finally able to paddle back home.
Now will be the task of assessing the transmission problem and managing the challenge of paying for a fix for it... the saga continues... :(
Things changed real quick, though. As we swung around in front of Wayne's house, I put it reverse and the boat wouldn't react. The engine was rev'ing but that prop wasn't engaging. What was most concerning was a subtle ringing sound I never heard before. The transmission failed somehow and I could see from the motor the prop shaft was not moving (meaning we didn't just loose the prop!). I switched into emergency mode, as we drifted without much to paddle with. I called Nereydo, a veteran of these issues, for advice. Sea-tow would cost $300 and we were close enough to the house to conceivably paddle back. He offered to meet us with his kayak and figure it out. While he drove up, we paddled towards the house using the wakeboard and an engine panel. We reached the King Cole building once Nereydo arriving with the kayak paddles. At that point we went a lot faster with 4 people paddling and Jenny driving the boat. We reached what was the only unknown in the plan, the height of the 71st+Bay Dr. bridge. The boat's tower was 2ft too high.
Rowing all the way around Normandy Isle was not an option, so bringing down the tower was the only way. Nate phoned into Henry a master-handy man of sorts who surprisingly had the proper tool to get the tower down. As we waited, Nicole's bladder was bursting so Phil decided they should exit the vessel by way of climbing onto the bridge. Bad idea. In what was perhaps a drunken stuper, he lost grip of the bridge pipe and splash. Yes folks, full clothed and now soaking wet (sorry about the phone). It was all in good fun, but it was scary to see.
We rowed to a nearby dock and properly moved Phil+Nicole off and Henry on. In what was the best gesture of good grace I've seen in a long time, Henry successfully solved one problem after another until the tower came down. We then were finally able to paddle back home.
Now will be the task of assessing the transmission problem and managing the challenge of paying for a fix for it... the saga continues... :(
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